Warmer Temperatures Needed To Assess Wheat Damage

A new report says warmer temperatures are needed before Kansas farmers can assess the freeze damage to their winter wheat crop.

Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service reported Monday that more than half the state's wheat acres had no freeze damage. But the agency also says growers in the western third of Kansas are still evaluating the impact of freezing temperatures.

The weekly snapshot shows 43 percent of the winter wheat has now jointed. That's well behind the 96 percent of a year ago and the late-April average of 63 percent.

Overall, the agency pegged the condition of this year's wheat crop as 37 percent poor to very poor. It estimated that 33 percent was in fair shape, with 27 percent rated as good and 3 percent as excellent.

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Kansas farmers are getting ready to seed their spring crops, with a few fields of corn already planted in eastern sections.

The latest report by the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service also said spring calving is nearly finished in the state. Livestock producers are still worried about having enough stock water. Supplies are reported as "adequate" in just 36 percent of Kansas.

South-central Kansas got some welcomed rain in the past week. But drought-stricken pastures have yet to recover statewide, with 77 percent now reported in poor to very poor condition.

Stop by most any unirrigated farm across the lower Midwest and you'll see crops in distress. Midwestern corn and soybean farmers are taking a beating during the recent drought, but it's not likely to drive many out of business.

Most of those farmers carry terrific insurance, and the worse the drought becomes, the more individual farmers will be paid for their lost crops. The federal government picks up most of the cost of the crop insurance program, and this year that bill is going to be a whopper.